Chicago tips

Halloween Is Everywhere. Check It Out.

current calendar, culture

With the approach of Halloween I'm on the lookout for intriguing scenarios and I offer these two as an alternative to the ubiquitous white (and green) veiling around town.

First, there's this ghoulish larger than life size grim reaper beckoning all to come in for a car wash at Car Care Specialists at 2909 N. Lincoln.  I'm not sure if this guy is out all night but he sure is during daylight hours.  His companion, who was waiting for her car, was gracious about posing cause I thought a size comparison might be helpful.

Then there's Avenue Tavern, 2916 N. Broadway, where for a number of years now John Powers, below at right, has been decorating the windows with rows and rows of pumpkins.  I caught him out there yesterday in the alley south of the bar with his power drill in hand, getting ready to replace one that was past its prime.

Of course this marvelous orange festival encompassing two big windows is best seen at night sincethat's when every pumpkin is all aglow.

If you've seen anything Halloweenish that we all should visit just send on a photo and we'll add it with your name and pertinent comments.

You Absolutely Must See "The Sparrow"

theater

Normally I never patronize the Apollo Theater on Lincoln Avenue since to my mind it's synonymous with commercial theater and therefore its productions are not likely to coincide much with my taste.

But we'd heard about "The Sparrow" and missed it at its original Viaduct Theater venue, then messed up again when it was invited to the Steppenwolf Garage.  This is a work by the talented House Theater of Chicago and not to be missed theater.

The story was written by House members Chris Mathews, Jake Minton and director Nathan Allen. The choregraphy of the ensemble is in tune with the plot and a compelling video component expands upon it.  The staging is properly minimal.  The cast works beautifully together and the talented Carolyn Defrin is a likely unlikely "sparrow."

It's your job to unravel the story which is contemporary and timeless simultaneously and set in a small town in Illinois.

I'm guessing this production will be headed for New York once it completes its run here.  So far it's scheduled through December.

The Apollo Theater is at 2540 N. Lincoln and, you guessed it, tickets are available through ticketmaster.

Ilya Kaler In Concert Monday Night!

current calendar, music

A special opportunity awaits us tomorrow at the DePaul Concert Hall.  Ilya Kaler, a faculty member of DePaul Music School will give a violin concert that's certain to be exceptional.

He's won three Gold Medals at three of the world's most prestigious competitions:  the Tchaikovsky, Moscow 1986, the Sibelius, Helsinki 1985 and the Paganini, Genoa 1981.  Kahler's been compared to Heifetz and Perlman and we all have the chance to hear him free of charge, courtesy of the DePaul Music School programming.

I'd love to give you the program but it's not available until concert time.  Go anyway!

The DePaul School of Music Concert Hall is at 800 W. Belden.  It's the large chapel-like looking building just to the right inside the large black iron gate.

Revolution Tattoo Halloween Exhibit Begins Saturday

art, culture, current calendar

Check out Revolution Tattoo at 2221 N. Western.  This Saturday, October 13 is a perfect time since their annual Halloween Art Exhibit reception is from 8PM til midnight.

Revolution has a swell looking red neon star in the window that I couldn't resist so I went in to talk to Max Brown (see photo).  He explained that Revolution is a custom tattoo shop and began five years ago as a gallery, adding tattoos after the first two years.  Principals are Omar Guitierrez, his soon to be wife, Cheri Basak and Max along with his brother Marshall (Brown too).

Tattoos used to be synonymous with biker culture but no more.  You may remember that not so long ago they were pretty standard, boringly so.  Now complete arm and leg tattoos, handsomely rendered are not unusual.  Servers in hip restaurants often succumb to cool-looking visuals.

I am fascinated.  In New York recently I noted a young Brooklyn father with a tattoo covering his completely shaved head and realized he can wear or not wear his decorations, depending on his chosen hairstyle of the moment, the best of both worlds, I figure.

Much of Revolution's business is referral based, although there's walk in traffic too.  Ask to see some of their reference books and you'll realize that Japanese culture, among many others is rich with the tattooing tradition.

Revolution is open Monday through Saturday from 12noon-9PM, 2221 N. Western Av., 773.486.8888.